Combination package of liquid and solid foodstuff

ABSTRACT

The invention is a new way to present the traditional snack of milk and cookies, all in the convenience of having it in one package. The packaging provides separate compartments to contain milk (liquid) and cookies (solid foodstuff), with the milk compartment accessible through a straw, or a peel-back opening allowing the consumer to dip their cookies in the milk. When packaged with soy milk, or ultra-pasteurized cow milk, the product can be stored on dry shelf with a shelf life of four to six months. For products packaged with organic or regular milk, which have a shorter cold-storage shelf life, the compartment storing the cookies can be detached and re-attached to a new milk compartment of their choice.

This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. provisional application No. 61/052,902, filed May 13, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a revolutionary new way to enjoy cookies and milk anytime and anywhere all in one convenient packaging that enables the consumer to dip their favorite cookie in the milk. The milk containing portion of the package is equipped with a specially, cookie sized, slotted access opening in the packaging.

2. Background

Cookies and Milk are an iconic combination. The problem is that the combination necessarily requires disparate foodstuffs to be combined outside of the respective packaging, and usually in separate containers. Hence, the need for refrigeration for one product, dry shelf space for the other, and little flexibility owing to how the products are respectively sold, i.e., large boxes and containers of each. When enjoyment is desired, additional preparations need to be made, convenience is lost, a mess is made. This is especially the case in large groups of individuals (small children at snack time, etc.). Spilled liquids, mushy, dropped cookies, no means to stop and preserve a portion for later consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an original concept that provides convenience and portability to a favorite snack. The product allows the convenience of having the snack prepared and presented all together, while the unique packaging gives the snack the portability to be enjoyed almost anywhere at any time. Going beyond the Products' basic advantages, the innovative design of the packaging allows the consumer to dip the cookies in the milk, and/or drink the milk through a straw.

The invented product package has two separate compartments to house cookies in one space, and milk in another. The cookies are stored in a re-sealable container. The milk compartment has a hole that allows the consumer to enjoy the milk through a straw provided with the invention. Also, unique to the invention is the pull tab access to a slotted opening which also allows the consumer to dip the cookies in the milk, this is a key component that provides further uniqueness to this original concept.

Optional features derive from the product being presented with regular, organic or soy milk. The version featuring regular or organic milk have a detachable cookie compartment to allow the consumer to attach their cookies to a new milk compartment of milk. The soy milk version of the product allows for a four to six month shelf life, as well as pull-back string allowing access to the cookie compartment. Additional optional add-ons would be game cards of mascots and themed mascot friends creating a story with these cards for kids to collect, trade and enjoy with friends. These add-ons could be separately packaged and attached to one side of the milk packaging.

One version of this invention is made out of a material called “Tetra-Pak”. It has a convenient sizing for kids to easily carry and handle. The model has a pull tab access opening on the top and on one end it has a straw insert access for drinking with a straw. The straw is also supplied by us sealed and attached to the top or side portion of the package. The cookies are packaged in a sandwich like packaging that can be easily re-sealed back for freshness and later enjoyment.

This invention is attractive to the consumers' eye because of good graphic presentation possibilities on the packaging and the fact that the cookies are visible through packaging. This model can be used while being held (i.e., in transit on a school bus) or can be set on a small space (kiddie sized desk or work area) for enjoyment. Current Mascot themes are based on cartoon cows dressed in various costumes from cow cowboys, cow bikers, cow wrestlers, cow baseball players, cow president of the United States and so on.

Our “CooMilk™” version comes in many sizes: one houses ½ pint and the other, for example, one pint of milk with cookies.

Another version of this invention is made from a TUPPER-WARE like (plastic) model for consumers to purchase for packing their own combination of foods, or home-cooked meals with dipping needs. This would be a two compartment container to keep liquids and foods separate, with an insulation feature for the liquid side for relative coolness over time away from refrigeration.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in use.

FIG. 3 is an alternate size of package for the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an unfolded blank suitable for creating the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flat lunch box style package embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a completely closed version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 in use.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate lunch box style embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a further alternate embodiment of the lunch box style of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Each of FIGS. 1, 3, 7, 9, and 10 display basic embodiments of the product package 10 in its “on shelf” representation. FIGS. 1 & 3 show versions of the “pint” and “half-pint” versions respectively, and “in use” in FIGS. 2, 6, and 8. These figures show the basic elements of the multi-chambered package 10 and its display window 32 along with associated graphics and artwork. (Even a comic strip on the inside cover 2, in FIG. 6, 7, 8). The basic elements include the container material 12 sold under the brand TETRA-PAK. This material is chosen for its ability to maintain freshness of consumables without need for refrigeration. The slot cover 16 of the first chamber is removable thru a tug on the ring 18 that dislodges the cover and exposes the liquid contents of the first chamber thru opening 14 for dipping. A forward shelf edge oriented side of the container includes a transparent window 32 on the second chamber for exposing the dipping consumable 24 (cookie, brownie, biscuit, etc.) to enhance prospective purchase or consumption. The window 32 is peeled back to obtain access to the consumable 24.

The packaging also advantageously includes a straw 22 hot glued to the exterior. This straw 22 can be detached and extended through sealed passage 30 for access to the liquid contents of the first chamber for consumption with or without the cover 16 having been previously removed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a basic container pattern (blank) for cutting from a single sheet of material for the liquid containing chamber of the multi-chambered package 10. With the respective flaps folded along the dotted markers 28 and secured to create the liquid chamber using hot-sealing techniques, a satisfactory liquid container can be constructed. This is a basic box construction and is simply a representation of one possible method of container construction and should not to be construed as the only shape, dimension or construction for this product. The liquid containing chamber is releasably attached to the consumable solids containing second chamber using a hot glue or other secure but removable feature (tape tabs, gum substance) or an entire two container wrapper (cellophane) that maintains the respective chambers in close proximity during sale and distribution, but is removed and discarded prior to use.

The milk (or other perishable liquid) will be packaged through an aseptic process, that when combined with an ultra-high-temperature process (UHT) allows the liquid to be stored at room temperature for a long period of time, and the cookies will be stored through a similar air-sealed process.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative product presentation using the multi-chambered container. In this presentation, the combination is an egg roll along with flavorful dipping sauce. One of the inventive packages can, of course, be augmented by a dipping only container having a removably covered slotted access port on the top thereof. Fruit, cookies, etc., can be dipped and consumed.

FIGS. 6-10 show alternate embodiments of the version shown in FIG. 5. The FIG. 6 embodiment 10 includes an additional cover 2, for covering the respective access locations to the solid and liquid foodstuffs. The cover 2 may include food information, comics, etc., throughout the respective panels. The inner removable foodstuff cover 32 can be foil or transparent, and also may be re-sealable. The liquid slot 14, with removable cover 16, is also shown in slotted form so as to accomplish the necessary dipping function and to accommodate foodstuff 24. A straw hole 22 is also included for separate liquid compartment access for when dipping is not desired or convenient or for when a separate access to the liquid is desired. FIG. 7 shows the invention embodiment of FIG. 6 as presented on a shelf to the consumer. FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 6 in use with straw 22 insertion, foodstuff 24 dipping through slot 14, and with the food compartment 24 fully exposed. The outcome is a complete, mess free, portable, compact snacking kit for every occasion.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show alternative versions of the invention as shown in FIG. 5. The basic rectangular shape can be altered with scalloped or chamfered edges. The box can be squat, relatively more wide than tall or, alternatively, can be 2 inch by 2 inch on a end and 5 inches wide. The dipping slot cover being 3½ inches long by about 1 inch in width. The straw can be mounted longitudinally and forward or rearward to enable unencumbered stacking of the double compartmented snack cartons 10.

While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings. 

1. A combination package, comprising: a 1^(st) compartment capable of sealing liquid therein, and having a pair of accessible openings on an upper surface of said compartment so as to access an interior portion of said first compartment, a first one of said pair of openings being sized to accept a drinking straw thrust therethrough, and a second of said pair of openings being slotted so as to be considerably longer than it is wide and having a pull tab cover thereover to facilitate removal of said cover therefrom and exposing only a portion of a surface area of said liquid contained therein, and, a 2^(nd) openable compartment containing non-liquid foodstuffs attached to said 1^(st) compartment and having at least one wall portion thereof being easily removed so as to provide rapid access to said foodstuffs contained therein.
 2. A package as in claim 1, further comprising: a sheet cover attached along a single edge of an upper surface of said 1^(st) compartment and folding over and covering both 1^(st) and 2^(nd) compartment accessible openings.
 3. A package as in claim 2, wherein: said sheet cover includes graphics on an inner surface thereof.
 4. A package as in claim 1, wherein: said 2^(nd) openable compartment further includes at least one wall portion thereof which is translucent providing direct viewing of the foodstuffs contained therein. 